𝗦𝗨𝗡 & 𝗠𝗢𝗢𝗡 | ᴬᶰ ˢᵒᵒᴴᵒ 『English Version』

Final Chapter

The cool night air wrapped around them as they left the ice cream shop, saying goodbye to Sieun, Juntae, Baku, and Gotak. The bowling afternoon had been surprisingly fun, and despite the fatigue settling in his muscles and lower back, Sooho walked with a lightness he hadn't felt in a long time. Hyeori was at his side, her head resting on his shoulder, humming a cheerful, off-key melody. Their fingers were intertwined.

"Today was a good day," Hyeori murmured, giving his hand a little squeeze. "It's been a while since I laughed that much. Baku is too funny, and Gotak... wow, he really surprised me. He's so good at bowling!"

"Yeah, it was awesome," Sooho agreed with a smile. "And Gotak's a good guy. I really liked him. Baku too, though he's a bit exhausting sometimes."

"You finally found someone who can wear you out—that's impressive," Hyeori teased, laughing. "I'm glad you got to connect with them."

They walked slowly, enjoying the quiet of the less busy streets. The echo of their footsteps and soft voices were the only sounds accompanying them. Their conversation shifted to their plans for the week, Hyeori's schoolwork, and the kind of little things that—after everything—felt like a routine they couldn't wait to build together.

Then, as they passed by a small, dark alley filled with garbage bins, a sharp, pitiful sound broke the peaceful silence around them. A faint, almost imperceptible meow reached their ears.

They both stopped in their tracks.

"Did you hear that?" Hyeori whispered, tilting her head to listen.

"Yeah... I think it came from in there..." Sooho replied, nodding toward the alley.

Cautiously, they moved closer. The smell of trash grew stronger. Sooho, mindful of his back, moved carefully between the obstacles. Hyeori stayed close behind him. The meowing came again—slightly louder this time—and was quickly followed by a second one, just as weak.

"Ah... sounds like... really tiny kittens..." Hyeori said, worry lacing her voice.

They turned on their phone flashlights and scanned the darkest corner of the alley. And there, curled up against the cold wall behind a torn cardboard box, they saw them: two tiny furballs, no bigger than Hyeori's palm. One was a vibrant orange, the other a brown so dark it looked black under the artificial light. Their eyes were tightly shut, and their little bodies trembled—either from the cold or from fear.

"Oh, Sooho..." Hyeori whispered, bringing a hand to her mouth. "They look like newborns..."

Sooho crouched down slowly, placing one hand on his knee for support. A jolt of pain shot through his back, but he ignored it. Carefully, he extended a finger toward the orange kitten, who meowed louder—its cry sharp and desperate, as if it feared he might hurt it.

"Doesn't look like the mother's anywhere nearby... Do you think they were abandoned?" Sooho asked, voice low and serious. "It's cold. I don't think they'll last long out here alone..."

"We can't leave them, love..." Hyeori said, urgency creeping into her voice as her eyes stayed locked on the tiny kittens. "They'll die out here."

Sooho nodded, his heart aching at the sight of the helpless animals. "You're right. But what do we do? We can't just take them home like this... They need special care. I don't think they're even a week old."

"I know, but... we can try, right?" Hyeori looked at him, eyes pleading. "Please. I wouldn't be able to sleep knowing we left them here."

That look in her eyes, the compassion in her voice—it erased any hesitation he had.

"Alright," he said, offering a small smile. "Let's take them. But carefully..."

Very gently, after murmuring to the kittens to let them know he wasn't a threat, Sooho slid his hands underneath the tiny bodies. They were unbelievably light—fragile. He stood up slowly, making sure not to make any sudden movements that could hurt the kittens or strain his back. The tiny creatures curled instinctively against the warmth of his chest, their cries softening.